Is Austin or Opelika Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Opelika is safer than Austin (Safety Score 16/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,185 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 14% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Opelika has a 35% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 28.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Opelika — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Opelika, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Opelika | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,184.5 | +524.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 560.3 | -92.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 8.7 | -2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 49.4 | +18.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 55.2 | +30.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 447.1 | -139.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,624.3 | +617.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 206.1 | +239.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,217.8 | -19.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 200.3 | +398.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Opelika safer?
Opelika is safer with a total crime rate of 3,185 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Opelika has 560.3. Austin has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Opelika, AL
Opelika, a historic railroad town in Lee County, sits near the fall line of the Appalachian foothills. It's home to the Museum of East Alabama, reflecting its deep Southern heritage. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 34,448, Opelika has a total crime rate of 3,184.5 per 100,000 residents.